Promoted SC Freiburg pulled to within four points of the European places with an upset 2-1 win over UEFA Champions League aspirants Hertha Berlin. Janik Haberer opened the scoring for the Black Forest club with half-time approaching, stroking home to bring up his second goal in as many games. Nils Petersen and Julian Schieber then exchanged goals late on as Hertha fell to their second successive defeat.

The reigning Bundesliga champions deservedly returned home with all three points thanks to goals from Arjen Robben and an exquisite David Alaba free-kick. Max Kruse pulled a goal back for the hosts early in the second half, but it proved to be little more than a consolation.

A free-kick straight from the training ground helped Eintracht Frankfurt move up to third in the table on Friday night. Makoto Hasebe's set-piece found the unmarked Alexander Meier, who stroked the ball home to give the Eagles a 1-0 victory away to Schalke in the Matchday 18 opener.

Yuya Osako was in inspired form as Köln turned on the style away to Darmstadt. The Japan international struck twice as the Billy Goats romped to a 6-1 victory, with Anthony Modeste also getting on the scoresheet for the 14th time this season.

A stunning comeback victory in Leverkusen gave Dieter Hecking his first win as Gladbach head coach. Bayer appeared to be cruising to victory following set-piece goals from Jonathan Tah and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, but the Foals hauled themselves back on level terms thanks to captain Lars Stindl's quick-fire brace. Raffael's fourth Bundesliga goal of the season completed the turnaround.

Ingolstadt picked up three crucial points in their battle to avoid the drop with a comfortable victory over relegation-threatened Hamburg. Pascal Groß and Markus Suttner put Die Schanzer two goals up inside 22 minutes, before Almog Cohen’s penalty made it three early in the second half. Gotoku Sakai pulled one back on the hour-mark, but it was nothing more than a consolation as Ingolstadt climbed into the relegation play-off spot at HSV’s expense.

Augsburg recorded only their third away win of the season after coming from behind to beat Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena. Mario Gomez headed in a Yunus Malli free-kick to give the Wolves an early lead, only for Halil Altintop to level in the 25th minute following a defensive mix-up. The home side spurned a handful of chances, before Dominik Kohr netted the winner midway through the second half.